Mateta may not be the best forward we have had but if he is loaned and not replaced, that along with Benteke will be 2 forwards not replaced and with Wilfs possible 6 week absence leaves a hole.
We have also been comparatively lucky with injuries to date. It's a gamble.

Yes, it's very frustrating seeing the great transfer deals made by our rival clubs. From CPFC, only silence.

The right place at the right time

This is something that has crossed my mind a few times lately.

If he left now, his reputation is - at the very least - solidified. Whilst we're mid table, our concerns go unnoticed. The outside perception still seems to be that he has overhauled an ageing squad to create a more attacking, youthful side, reaching an FA Cup semi final along the way. If he sits around and fronts the inevitable decline of the club, then his career is impacted.

Regardless on your views of continually picking Ayew and Schlupp, I don't see how he can significantly improve our output with things as they are. Likewise, the likes of Guéhi and Olise must start to question whether they could achieve more elsewhere.

With the deafening silence, the only thing we have to go on are continual rumours of AWB and Gallagher. I'm not sure either of these are viable. I know we have a history of keeping our transfers quiet until they actually happen, but if we are still after these two, with no plan B or C, then it's not ideal. AWB doesn't look like he's going anywhere. I suppose Gallagher might move, given the influx of transfers at Chelsea, but they're not going to let him go until they're absolutely sure they no longer need him. Chelsea's sale/loan of Gallagher isn't exactly like the sale of Gordon to Newcastle, where Everton needed the cash to reinvest, and he seemed desperate to go. It feels like we're naively waiting on a couple of lost causes that aren't going to happen. It's like chasing your hot ex girlfriend who's long-since moved on to someone more appealing, but we're kidding ourselves that we still have a chance.

One of the most frustrating things is that CPFC never explains what has gone on. After we pass the Tuesday deadline with no signings, we won't be told what happened: who we bid for (if anyone), what went wrong, etc etc. And it had also occurred me to that PV might say, I've had enough, I'm off. He dropped massive hints during the last transfer window and this one that we needed more players. Our squad is looking even more threadbare now with Wilf's injury. What's worrying is that after we scrape just a few points from the current run of top-six games, we'll be down in the relegation mix where every point will be vital to save ourselves from the Championship.

The right place at the right time

I think the title needs to be changed as there are no updates

Hang on a second, didn't dazza confirm we'd signed Ahamada a few pages back?

(I thought I better get this thread back on track by making a sarcastic comment at the OPs expense - all in good fun, of course)